Brussels Sprouts.

[Durgan]

http://durgan.org/2010/October%202010/1 ... outs/HTML/ 1 October 201 Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts grew well in my area Zone 5.. This is the remainder of 12 plants ( Jade Cross). The small cabbages are picked as required throughout the season. There is a persistent view that they are tastier after a severe frost. I find this to be an old wives tale. Taste is the same at the beginning of the year as around December, when I have left them to be exposed to frost. The insect damage seen is only on the outer shell of the sprout. Spraying with one of the 'cides can eliminate disfigurement, but I prefer the damage. People either love them or hate them.

[old tree man]

Nice brussels and nice soil as well

[Durgan]

Nice brussels and nice soil as well

Five years labor making that soil. The underlying soil is about two feet of good clay, then hard pan. Eighty five yards of compost was added over five years and some added each year. Now I am preparing for Spring planting, trying to beat the frost. The area was a poorly drained quagmire, and 300 feet of drainage ditches were installed. All this was done by myself with wheelbarrow and shovel. Great case for slavery, as long as you aren't the slave.

[jim]

Q: What is the difference between a brussel sprout and a freshly picked, green, snotty bogey?

A: Children don't eat brussel sprouts!!!

[Ought to apologize for lowering the tone of the conversation but..... ]

Love and Peace
Jim

[Green Aura]

Q: What is the difference between a brussel sprout and a freshly picked, green, snotty bogey?

A: Children don't eat brussel sprouts!!!

[Ought to apologize for lowering the tone of the conversation but..... ]

Love and Peace
Jim

Sorry Durgan - can't stand Brussel Sprouts!

[gregorach]

I really don't understand why people have a problem with brussels - they're lovely. I mean, fair enough if you're the sort of weirdo who doesn't like any brassicas at all, but it seems to be sprout-specific... Just don't overcook them, and boil them in an open pan. I mean, what's not to like about a tasty green vegetable that'll stand all winter?

[Odsox]

I mean, what's not to like about a tasty green vegetable that'll stand all winter?

Absolutely nothing Dunc, it's a wonderful vegetable.
I think a lot of people have unfortunate memories of bitter sprouts and are set in their ways and refuse to even try them again.
No modern variety that I've grown is bitter any more, and I'm not sure what we would eat over the winter if sprouts were off the menu.
I love 'em cooked all ways from soft and squidgey over-cooked to scrunchy under-cooked and even grated raw.... and especially leftover ones fried the next day.

[Green Aura]

I eat Brussels Sprouts every year, on Christmas Day I have 2-3 (depending on size) with my lunch. It's the only day I cook them because I don't like them (OH is allowed to cook them for himself if he wants to, but hasn't done this in the last 26 years ).

I grow them or buy them (just for this one occasion) and it doesn't seem to matter what variety they are or how I cook them - we've tried them boiled, steamed, roast and stir-fried (which to date is the least unpleasant method) and I can just about tolerate them raw.

But they all have an unpleasant, almost peppery (but not in a good way) taste that I can only describe as them "biting back".

My gal has told me that there's research identifying some genetic influence at play - can't remember the details but if you do/don't have this gene they taste disgusting

It's not through lack of effort on my part - I used to hate all greens, avocados and olives but with trying different ways of preparing them or just keep trying them I now adore all apart from the dreaded sprouts.

[Green Aura]

Can't be Susie - When the gal moved up she brought a jar of 4sda's own yeast spread stuff, which was just as gross and disgusting as it's famous counterpart. I have grown, over the months to quite like this although when we opened the new jar of Vegemite this week it was with some relief, like the prodigal had returned

So you never know - I might be converted to Marmite yet Just don't hold your breath

[Millymollymandy]

Maggie you are a complete saint to cook the darn things for Xmas lunch just for your OH. I wouldn't.

Darn just had to edit this to say I've just grown PEAS for him this year!!! Oh god it'll be brussels next, although he hates them too.